5 Insanely Beautiful Wild Swimming Spots in Britain

This is the Adventorama guide to 5 insanely beautiful wild swimming spots in the British Isles.

If you’re looking to visit England, Ireland, Scotland or Wales this summer, you’ll want to know the best places to take a dip or even go cliff diving.

We’ll explain everything in this guide. From the best places to swim outdoors to how to stay safe when swimming in wild waters.

When you’re done, find our Definitive Guide to Cheap Flights online here, and book yourself a flight to the UK today!

Types of Wild Swimming in Britain

Britain is an island nation with 19,500 miles of coastline.

Add to that 40,000 lakes and rivers, and you can see why the Brits have some of the best outdoor swimming venues in the world.

In different swimming spots, you’ll find new and exciting rock forms, wildlife and local culture, so it’s always worth exploring off the beaten path.

Here are the many types of swimming you’ll find in Britain.

Coastal Swimming

If you’ve never swum in the sea, then you’re in for a treat. It could be just the challenge you were looking for, especially if you’re already a strong swimmer and looking for a thrill.

Once you’ve gotten used to dealing with the waves, you’ll get to hone your stroke technique and improve your stamina like never before.

Since there are no limits like there are in the swimming pool, you can travel across a harbor, explore coves that are inaccessible to other beachgoers or even swim across an entire bay!

Stay safe and always swim with a buddy. For extra protection, wear a safety buoy so that you are visible to lifeguards and kayakers at all times.

Lakes

In Great Britain, each region has its own name for the unique lakes that have formed there.

In the Lake District, they are known as ‘forces’ and ‘tarns.’ In Scotland, there are the famous lochs, and in Wales, they have ‘llyns.’

All of these are different names for the same thing: breathtaking lakes that vary in size from millponds to inland seas.

An advantage of lake swimming is that there are no tides to worry about, so you can dial in your technique and rack up big miles whenever the mood takes you.

However, if you want to have a relaxing swim, why not bring a kayak and paddle to the most secluded shoreside coves and lake-borne islands?

You’ll be the only swimmer there and have immeasurable waters in which to enjoy yourself.

Lidos

For those who want to swim outdoors but do not want the associated risks, Britain’s lidos offer the best of both worlds.

Outdoor pools are plentiful and open all summer. Some are even open all year round.

Of course, this isn’t the purest form of wild swimming.

But who’s complaining when you have a changing room to get dressed in and other conveniences like nearby cafes and coffee shops?

As an introduction to wild swimming, lidos and outdoor pools are ideal.

Most are manned by lifeguards, and many are free of charge. You’ll feel the freedom of swimming al fresco, and you’ll feel safe.

It’s, therefore, the perfect place for new swimmers to dip their toe in the world of wild swimming.

Rivers

The most exciting wild swimming takes place in rivers. They offer all of the above in various settings throughout Britain.

You’ll be able to find lagoons, plunge pools, cliffs, white water, gently flowing brooks, powerful tributaries and many other forms of river swimming.

It’s worth noting if you head into Scotland, it’s legal to wild camp as well as wild swim.

So, should you feel like it, you can pitch a tent next to a gorgeous riverside suntrap and wake up to the calming sound of a babbling brook.

Better yet, really awaken the senses by going for an early morning dip.

There are thousands of miles of rivers in the UK, and many are ripe for exploring in your bathing suit.

Just stay safe! Read on to discover how to stay safe when wild swimming.

Areas to avoid when wild swimming in the UK

It is vitally important you avoid both canals and harbors when wild-swimming in Great Britain. Both of these waterways feature large numbers of boats and seafaring vessels that are unlikely to spot a swimmer in front of their bow.

Shipping channels that lead to harbors should also be avoided because of their strong and unpredictable currents.

Fast flowing rivers are dangerous for the same reasons. If you are unsure of the waters or your swimming skills, do not get into the water. Find somewhere safe where the conditions match your level of swimming ability.

Now you know the basics of wild swimming, let’s take a look at the very best venues to wild swim in Great Britain.

Top 5 Best Places to Wild Swim in Britain

Here, we’ve hand-picked a swimming venue for each of the five countries in Britain.

Baggy Point, England

Baggy Point Caves are empty when the tide is out, and you can walk on the white sandy floor inside this hidden gem of a cove.

However, you’d be missing out on some spectacular sea swimming if you didn’t come back at high tide.

Once the sea has reclaimed the cave, it’s a wondrous place to spend an hour swimming.

The rocky outcrops flanking the cave are great places to stop and sit for a rest, and you can exit at either side of the cave and walk back up the cliff.

It’s a popular spot in summer, but if you come on a day with good weather in autumn or spring, you might have Baggy Point to yourself.

However, Baggy Point is a natural beauty spot that’s famous for wild swimming, so it does get more and more popular each year. Make sure to get it ticked off your list soon!